I'm sick.. No better off working :(

dandelionclock30

NYM wrote: »

I'll not be eligible until 2044. I doubt very much that there will be such a thing as a State Pension by then...despite the £thousands both my husband and I have to contribute to the *fund*

I do believe the majority of pensioners today have contributed throughout their working lives. They deserve every penny they get.

Plenty of older women pensioners have not worked as they brought up a family etc and for some of them it wasnt expected.
My Grandmother only worked till she was married, that was then it. She brought up a family and my Grandfather supported her.

bloolagoon

jetplane wrote: »

Yes though some families are considerably better off in work than on benefits and some have good working conditions, regular hours and a job they enjoy. Affordable child care or family carers and this makes a big difference.

If you work close by home, have family childcare you are significantly better off than those who have long commutes, late days/early mornings. Even two goodish incomes can leave you feeling that there isn't much left. Then add the fact you may have to pay for things like take aways, cleaners, window cleaners and others.

wildwestfan

osdset wrote: »

Deliberately nasty? Deliberately forthright maybe. I tend to find when someones opinion is questioned on this forum they get a touch of the vapours instead of having an intelligent debate. Says more about them than me IMO.

This is not the place for debate.

osdset

wildwestfan wrote: »

This is not the place for debate.

Ever so sorry, I'll shuffle off then and leave the debating to those already engaged, in a debate.

[Deleted User]

mejaa wrote: »

I just get so angry that because of his new shifts and my long working hours -14 hour shifts-we will hardly get to see one own other they say absence makes the heart grow fonder lol.
I am very fortunate to have been able to claim tax credits at a time when it was needed.... Also the carers allowance.
I'm all for setting a good example to our children, but when my son comes in from school and says that his friend got a brand new Xbox at the weekend coz his broke and his parents don't work... I think where is the justice in that ? We both work and couldn't afford to go and do that makes me so mad.

have you added in the childs dla and child benefit?

northerntwo1

woodbine wrote: »

have you added in the childs dla and child benefit?

Does it matter? They work every hour available to come off benefits yet you still dismiss. They should just go onto Income Support and be done.

JencParker

MissMoneypenny wrote: »

Errrrm..... many people who work still have "that life" "on benefits" too. What do people think they are asking for when they apply for Tax Credits every year and have to declare their income? And then get more given to them if their income drops or less (or Tax Credits stop) if their household income rises? Job Seekers Allowance and Tax Credits, are both income based welfare payments.

Tax Credits are a welfare payment that was only invented a decade ago as "a vote winner" as Blair called them; a way to attract more Labour voters: even though the country could never afford them. Tax Credits quickly became the UK's 3rd most costly, welfare state bill.

OP, you are better off working in the long run as Tax Credits are 2 of the income based welfare payments that are being replaced by Universal Credit as part of the 'getting benefits back to what they were' (reversing the trend of the past decade). UC will have conditions for those able bodied adults that aren't doing more to support themselves and their families.

Actually, there has been a Tax Credit equivalent since the early 70's. Initially, Family Income Supplement and then Working Family Tax Credit. Both were for low paid workers with at least one child, albeit not as generous as the current working and child tax credits.

While the intentions were good (to encourage single parents in particular to work) and helped those who were on low wages, the real abomination with Working tax credits has been the unintended consequence that they have enabled hugely profitable businesses to pay low wages (below the cost of living) while making vast profits for shareholders while the tax payer subsidises their low paid employees to enable them to make such profits.

FBaby

I totally agree that childcare IS the issue. I have for the first time in 14 years finally stopped paying childcare which went from anything from about £800 to £150 in the last couple of years so that I could go to work full-time and pay much taxes. The prospect of doing it again for another 10 years was one of the main reason why my husband and I opted out of having a child together.

If childcare costs were not so outrageous high, then parents would always be better off working. Surely this should be much easier to tackle than all that tax credits business.

mejaa

The child benefit I use to pay for school meals and the rest pays goes toward breakfast clubs and after school club.
The dla goes towards private swimming lessons for my son and also covers the costs associated with his nocturnal enuresis - proper bed sheets, washing etc, as well as using for taxis .

woodbine wrote: »

have you added in the childs dla and child benefit?

BJV

osdset wrote: »

Deliberately nasty? Deliberately forthright maybe. I tend to find when someones opinion is questioned on this forum they get a touch of the vapours instead of having an intelligent debate. Says more about them than me IMO.

Totally agree debate is good, debate is healthy but rude comments, no need, sorry if you can not find the words to put your point across without making it personal or aggressive then you have already lost.

A debate means discussing different points of view, and the merits of both, not trying to belittle those who disagree with yours.

Also so sorry have to ask what do you mean a touch of the vapours???